42nd Division New York Army National Guard Band plays at Saratoga Racetrack on July 30

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Members of the 42nd Infantry “Rainbow” Division Band perform on Long Island in August 2016.

Members of the 42nd Infantry “Rainbow” Division Band, march in the Annual New York City America’s Veterans Day Parade.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (07/24/2017) (readMedia)-- The New York Army National Guard's 42nd Infantry Division Band will perform at the Saratoga Thoroughbred Track on Sunday, July 30

Bandmembers of the famed "Rainbow Division" 42nd Infantry appear in communities across New York State this summer. The concert tour, conducted as part of the unit's annual training, delivers music spanning and connecting generations. With the expected military traditional and classical music, the band's range covers baroque to pop and jazz.

WHO: New York Army National Guard "Rainbow Division" band members and music fans.

Media Opportunity: Video and imagery of military members of the 42nd Infantry Division Band performing for the public. Interviews with band members may be available up to 30 minutes prior to the unit performance. For details about linkup location or interviews prior to performances, contact Staff Sgt. Christopher Smalls, christopher.c.smalls.mil@mail.mil or (914) 944-6552 for media availabilities.

Performances in 2017 will include a tribute to the World War I centennial, marking the mobilization and deployment of thousands of New York National Guard Soldiers in 1917 for service in France. The band will perform musical selections from that era as part of the unit's commemoration of the creation of the 42nd Infantry Division in August 1917.

Background:

The "Rainbow Division" Band has a long history, first playing for troops in World War I when the nickname "Rainbow" Division was adopted within the 42nd Infantry.

The unit's music is broad and varied, with multiple groups performing. Classical music, marches, patriotic selections, jazz, rock and popular music are all within the band's repertoire. Many musicians capably play more than one instrument.

Today, members of the band train and maintain fitness on the same weapons and combat skills that all Soldiers learn, additionally practicing music.

Members of New York's Army National Guard since 1947, the band deployed in 2005 to Iraq as part of the 42nd Infantry's Division headquarters. Band members played at ceremonies, in dining halls, for Iraqi officials and sometimes alongside Iraqi musicians.

The 42nd Infantry Division Band, based at the Camp Smith Training Site near Peekskill, is under the command of Chief Warrant Officer 3 Mark L. Kimes and 1st Sergeant Leslie G. Saroka.

Upcoming performances this summer include:

• July 27 at the Kensico Dam Plaza in Westchester, playing at noon in support of the community's Medal of Honor Day celebration.

• July 28 at Tanner Park in Copiague, Long Island at 7:30 pm

• July 29 at Shepard Park in Lake George at 7 pm

• July 31 at the New York State Museum in Albany, highlighting the state's World War One exhibit, performing outside the museum at noon